To:THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE R.S.D.L.P.

Written:Written January 31, 1904Published:First published in 1929.

      Sent from Geneva to Russia.

      Printed from the original.Source:Lenin
	  Collected Works,

      Progress Publishers,1974,

      Moscow,Volume 34,

      pages227-228.Translated:Clemens DuttTranscription\Markup:D. MorosPublic Domain:Lenin Internet Archive

      (2005).You may freely copy, distribute,
	display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and
	commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet
	Archive” as your source.•README

Forthe C.C. (to be handed to
				 N.N.[1])

Themeetings (three sittings) of the Party, Council ended
yesterday. These meetings brought into sharp focus the whole political
situation within the Party. Plekhanov sided with the Martovites, outvoting
us on every question of any importance. Our resolution condemning boycott,
etc. (boycottby either side), was not put to the vote; a line was
merely drawn in principle between impermissible and permissible forms of
struggle. On the other hand, a resolution of Plekhanov’s was adopted saying
it was desirable that the C.C. co-opt anappropriate(sic!) number
from the Minority. After this we withdrew our resolution and submitted a
protest against this policy of place-hunting on the part of the
Council. Three Council members (Martov, Axelrod and Plekhanov) replied that
it was “beneath their dignity” to examine this protest. We stated that
the onlyhonestway out was a congress. The Council rejected
it. The three members passed resolutions legitimising (!) the editorial
board’s sending out its representatives separately from the C.C., and
instructing the C.C. to give the editorial board literature in the amount
required for distribution (!). That means giving it them for their own
transportation and delivery, for they now send out one “agent” after
another, whorefuseto execute commissions for the Central
Committee. In addition, they also have transport ready (they proposed
sharing the cost of carriage fifty-fifty).

Iskra(No. 57) has an article by Plekhanov calling our
C.C.eccentric(there being no Minority on it) and inviting it to
co-opt the Minority. How many is unknown; accordingto private information, not less thanthreeout of a very short list
(of 5–6, apparently), perhaps with a demand also for the resignation of someone
from the Central Committee.

Onemust be blind not to see now what is afoot. The Council will bring pressure
to bear on the C.C.in every possible way, demanding complete surrender
to the Martovites. Either—an immediate congress, the immediate collection
of resolutions on a congress from 11–12 committees, and the immediate
concentration of all efforts on agitating for a congress. Or—the
resignation of the whole C.C., for no C.C. member will consent to the
ignominious and ludicrous role of accepting people whofoist
themselveson the C.C., people who will not rest content until they have
taken everything into their hands, and who will drag every trifle before the
Council so as to get their own way.

Kurtzand I insistently demand that the C.C.be convened immediately at all
coststo decide the matter, taking into account, of course, our votes as
well. We repeat emphatically and for the hundredth time: either a congress at
once, or resignation. We invite our dissentients to come here, so as to judge
the situation on the spot. Let them tryin practiceto get along with
the Martovites and not write us hollow phrases about the value of peace!

Wehave no money. The C.O. is overloading us with expenses, obviously pushing us
towards bankruptcy, and obviously counting on a financial crash in order to take
extraordinary measures which would reduce the C.C. to a cipher.

Weneed two or three thousand rubles immediately at all costs. Without fail and
immediately, otherwise we shall facecompleteruin within a month!

Werepeat: think it over carefully,send delegates hereand take a
straightforward view of the matter. Our last word is: either a congress or the
resignation of the whole Central Committee. Reply at once as to whether you give
us your votes. If not, let us knowwhat is to be done if Kurtz and I
resign, let us know without fail.

[1]N.N.—unidentifled.—Ed.